A small community of Jews had been living in Amsterdam since the later 16th century. In 1588, the 'states general' decreed that Portuguese and Spanish Sefardic Jews were allowed to settle, in order to stimulate trade with the the young Dutch republic. Since this group was prosecuted in their home country, this was considered a good opportunity, notwithstanding the life changing effects of this relocation. Initially they settled outside of Vlooienburg, as can be read from the 'ondertrouw'-registers ('intention to marry') (Hell 2024, 66). After 1625, the numbers of Jews declaring their intention to marry living on Vlooienburg increased significantly. In the second half of the 17th century, about a third of the population of Vlooienburg was Jewish. Their share would only rise in the following centuries, turning Vlooienburg into the core of the Jewish neighbourhood.
In this phase however, most Jews lived just outside Vlooienburg giving their name to this street, that is still known today as the 'Jodenbreestraat'. Nonetheless, one of the earliest building where religious services were held, was located here, hidden in a shed on the backyard of Lange Houtstraat 16. Before 1609, this building served as a synagogue. Although a certain degree of religious freedom characterised Amsterdam in those days, only the reformed christian religion was allowed to have public churches. Alll others, such as catholics and jews, were required to make use of regular houses, sheds and other types of buildings not recognizable as places of worship.
Although the dimensions and form of this building are far from clear, two small structures are depicted on van Berckenrode's 1625 map, of which one is located on the address known to have hosted this synagogue.
After 1609, the Jewish community left this place and a new group religious refugees, the brownists from England, moved into the small building on Lange Houtstraat 16.